Acyclic water pentamer induces novel supramolecular ribbed sheet: Cooperativity and competitiveness of weak and covalent forces?

The 1D chain complex [{Cu(II)(bpp)(malonate)(H2O)}(H2O)4]n (1) (bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane) self-assembles to form a 2D ribbed sheet stabilized by an acyclic pentameric water cluster, which in turn, influences the conformation of the bpp ligand.